by Scott Yanow
The Claudia Quintet always keep one guessing. From drone pieces to quiet sound explorations, from passionate interplay to ensembles that seem lighter than air, this group has always had its own musical identity. Ted Reichman's accordion adds a lot to the unique ensembles, as does Matt Moran's vibraphone. Bassist Drew Gress and drummer/composer John Hollenbeck are loose and not shy to offer surprisingly sparse accompaniment. Some of the selections are so laid-back as to be sleepy (such as "This Too Shall Pass"), so it is best to listen to these performances (which includes a rather offbeat version of "The Peanut Vendor") at a high volume and lose one's self in the unusual music.